EMDR Therapy is not only for trauma. While it is the most researched and valid form of trauma treatment, it is so much more now. We will touch on how amazing it is for trauma in a second. But we need to make sure you know that EMDR is incredibly helpful for much much more. Our skilled therapists at DCNE are highly trained and skilled in the use and application of EMDR.
EMDR Therapy can help those with:
| Anxiety | Grief and Complicated Grief | PTSD |
| Bipolar Disorder | Medical Issues | Sexual Assault |
| Chronic Illness | Pain | Shame |
| Depression | Panic Attacks | Sleep Issues |
| Eating Disorder | Parenthood | Social Anxiety |
| Family Stress | Performance Anxiety | Stress |
| Future-Oriented Problems | Phobias | Workplace Stress |
EMDR Therapy for Trauma
Trauma. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Big “T” trauma. Little “t” trauma. Trauma is different. Trauma comes with shame. Shame is the belief that YOU are the reason why everything in your life turns to pieces.
Trauma makes us feel out of control. It does this because we can feel our bodies going into “that mode” when our brains KNOW that nothing is wrong at that moment. This is often described as hypervigilance. It can also be overwhelming. But whatever it is, it isn’t us in our true form.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a trauma-informed approach to mental health care. It is the most researched trauma intervention and is now used for so many more mental health concerns.
“Normal” mental health care teaches you about your thoughts (Cognitive Therapy), behaviors (Behavioral Therapy), emotions (Emotion Focused Therapy), etc., and so on. But without allowing the body to process the trauma, it will not work. You can’t think your way out of trauma. And you can’t behave your way out of it. Nor can you feel your way out of it. You must process it with your brain and body.
Sounds scary but usually isn’t. It isn’t because EMDR provides a structured therapy process that allows you to focus on memories while at the same time moving your eyes back and forth. The technical term for that is bilateral stimulation.
How does EMDR therapy work?
EMDR uses the best process called desensitization. All trauma-informed therapy requires that we revisit something. We have to do that to remove all of the bad associated with how we feel when we remember. But the goal is to REMEMBER but NOT RE-EXPERIENCE. Then we can also make room for the good.
EMDR helps you remember while at the same time reducing or removing the intensity of the memory, smell, taste, feel, etc. of whatever happened. We can’t erase the memory completely. That is a Jim Carrey movie. But we have helped thousands of people heal from whatever happened and get their bodies, minds, and spirits back.
Who can benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is now for many mental health concerns but it isn’t a catch-all. At the core, EMDR can help desensitize unwanted emotions, physical sensations, and feelings. If you have any of those, EMDR is right for you. EMDR is very powerful for trauma and childhood trauma. It is very powerful for anxiety, stress, grief, etc.
It takes this a step further by helping you associate positive emotions, thoughts, and feelings with past negative memories. This is the heart of the “reprocessing” phase or the “R” in EMDR. By reprocessing, you benefit because you can begin to associate resilience with whatever happened in the past. The people who benefit most from EMDR tend to have the courage to use the tool. Then the tool does most of the work for you.
Is EMDR Therapy effective?
The proof is in the pudding. There is a long list of professional organizations that have endorsed EMDR therapy and provided it themselves. For example, the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, The US Department of Veterans Affairs, and the World Health Organization all endorse EMDR as an effective mental health intervention.
EMDR is easier for people than Trauma-Focused CBT for one main reason – with EMDR there is no homework you have to do outside of the session. There is one study everyone loves to cite, which shows how powerful EMDR can be for trauma and sexual violence.
This is where most people ask us “How can you listen to people’s traumas all day long?!?”
The honest answer is that:
1. People tell us the truth
2. We get to see the transformation when the process is over.
That changes us for the better because we see, day in and day out, how amazing humans are. We wouldn’t give that up for anything.
Why don’t more places offer EMDR Therapy?
EMDR Therapy takes time to get good at. It takes 50 hours of classroom and hands-on training. Then it takes 10 hours of group supervision and 10 hours of one on one supervision. That only gets you the basic certification. Then you can do 20 more hours of supervision to become an EMDR Consultant. Our Director was trained in 2011 and has been using EMDR extensively since then. He is an EMDR Consultant and trains others in the use of EMDR.
Begin EMDR Therapy in Washington, DC
If you are struggling with past trauma or other mental health issues that are impacting your present life. EMDR Therapy is an effective treatment option available to you. Our skilled team of therapists at DCNE has the training and expertise to guide you through the process and find peace.
We offer consultations for anyone interested in our services or who wants to know more. You can book your consultation on our website, by texting us at 202-998-ADHD (2343), or by emailing [email protected]. We offer free consultations because we want to answer your questions before we begin neurofeedback training with you or someone you know. We are your resource to make it easier, even if you don’t work with us.
Other ADHD Services Offered by DCNE
In addition to EMDR Therapy, we offer cutting-edge neurofeedback, mental health assessments, and counseling. We aren’t just an “uh huh, tell me more” kind of therapy practice. We want to get in there with you and provide real tangible results through assessments, and behavioral counseling to keep you on the right track.